Volunteer Opportunity - Benthic Ecology Meeting (BEM) (Virginia Beach)
Volunteer Opportunity - Benthic Ecology Meeting (BEM) (Virginia Beach)
Log Hours to: VMN Special Projects - Benthic Ecology Meeting Society (BEMS)
Date: March 1-4, 2026 (Times see below)
Location: Virginia Beach, VA @ Venue: Cavalier Resort
4200 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Details:
The Benthic Ecology Meeting Society (BEMS) was founded to create a meeting where we can share the latest and greatest advances in marine science in a welcoming, supporting, and engaging environment that is free from all forms of discrimination. Science is strongest when people from all backgrounds and all levels of experience come together to pursue the creation and sharing of knowledge.
Here’s where we still need help:
Sunday, March 1
| Registration Desk | Set Up in Rooms A-D & Posters | |
| 2pm - 4pm | 4pm - 6pm | 9:30am - 1pm |
| 1-2 volunteers | 1-2 volunteers | 3 volunteers |
Monday, March 2
| Registration | Session 1 10:30am - 12pm | Session 2 1:30 - 3pm | Session 3 3:30pm - 5pm | |||||||||||||||
| 7:30am-10am | 10am-12:30pm | 12:30pm-3pm | 3pm-6pm | Seaside A | Seaside B | Seaside C | Seaside D | Seaside E | Seaside A | Seaside B | Seaside C | Seaside D | Seaside E | Seaside A | Seaside B | Seaside C | Seaside D | Seaside E |
| 2 volunteers | 1 volunteer | 1 volunteer | 1 volunteer | 1 volunteer | 1 volunteer | |||||||||||||
Tuesday, March 3
| Registration | Session 4 10:30am - 12pm | Session 5 1:30 - 3pm | Session 6 3:30pm - 5pm | ||||||||||||||
| 8-11 am | 11-2 pm | 2-6pm | Seaside A | Seaside B | Seaside C | Seaside D | Seaside E | Seaside A | Seaside B | Seaside C | Seaside D | Seaside E | Seaside A | Seaside B | Seaside C | Seaside D | Seaside E |
| 1 volunteer | 3 volunteers | 2 volunteers | 1 volunteer | 1 volunteer | |||||||||||||
Wednesday, March 4
| Registration | Room Take-down | Session 7 10:30am - 12pm | Session 8 1:30 - 3pm | |||||||||
| 8 am - 12 | 12-3:30 pm | 3:30-5:30 | Seaside A | Seaside B | Seaside C | Seaside D | Seaside E | Seaside A | Seaside B | Seaside C | Seaside D | Seaside E |
| 1 volunteer | 1 volunteer | 4 volunteers | 1 volunteer | 1 volunteer | 1 volunteer | 1 volunteer | ||||||
Also, here are some FAQ’s
FAQ
- Food & Meals for Volunteers
- Volunteers are welcome to coffee/tea provided throughout the day and to mid-morning and mid-afternoon food provided (its snacks like yogurt/granola cups, mixed fruit and bars, chips/nuts, Mediterranean platter, etc). Volunteers will need to pack or purchase their lunch/dinner.
- Parking
- Unfortunately, BEM does not have funds for parking vouchers. Rates are as follows:
- 0-3 hours= $3/hr
- 3-6 hours= $15 flat
- 6-10 hours= $20 flat
- 10-24 hours= $30 flat
- Unfortunately, BEM does not have funds for parking vouchers. Rates are as follows:
- Volunteer Position Duties
- Registration—meet scientists, students and practitioners as they come together to exchange information about marine ecosystems.
- Welcome and check in attendees, distribute materials, provide information. Additionally, on Sunday there will be computers at registration for talk uploads for those who missed online uploads.
- Session Room Set-Up—there will be 5 rooms hosting concurrent meetings each day.
- Help presenters with any needs, direct attendees to resources as needed
- During a session: help with timing talks/signaling speakers, queuing up the next talk while the moderator deals with questions.
- Get help if AV issue arises
- Pre-Session Sunday: helping move items to the various rooms and get them set up / working
- Post-Session Wednesday: helping pack up items and move them to the central storage room
- Registration—meet scientists, students and practitioners as they come together to exchange information about marine ecosystems.
Benthic Ecology Meeting Society
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Contact: On-site volunteer coordinator Desiree Groff at VIMS
210-834-0881
Volunteer Opportunity - Benthic Ecology Meeting (BEM) (Virginia Beach)